From Incheon International Airport to New Delhi (and onward to Chennai)

Daily Miles: 0 | Total Miles: 10,457.43

I got up at 6am — coffee first, as always — and then began a rather unexpected and delicate task. Back in England, maybe on my second or third day, someone had already warned me that the Garmin inReach — my GPS device and two-way satellite communicator — is not allowed in India. I ignored that information until last night, around 10pm, after packing, when I finally decided I’d better look it up and comply with the rules.

Yes — these devices have been banned in India since 1933, and apparently people have been arrested simply for possession or use. I probably don’t want to risk that, even though I sometimes like moving at the edge of the legal system!

Once I decided not to take it to India, I checked the post office hours at the airport — and of course, on weekends they are closed. Then I discovered I could ship items 24/7 through convenience stores. I downloaded the courier app — but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t change the language.

This morning I asked a woman at reception if she could help me, but with the foreign characters it was too complicated for both of us. I then walked to the nearest GS25, where I asked the woman behind the counter for assistance. It was a challenge just to print the shipping label, but she helped me wrap the Garmin carefully. Then she called a friend who worked there, and he continued the process.

Wow — it took forever. I have no idea if the device will ever make it home, but we’ll find out. The man was incredibly patient, and I genuinely felt relieved when we finally completed the shipping just in time.

I walked back to the hotel, ordered an Uber XXL that would arrive in 10 minutes, zipped the buggy into the travel bag, packed the remainder of my gear, checked out, and waited in the foggy morning for a white Kia to pull up. The driver helped load my luggage, and off we went. The fog was thick, no visibility — just a grey world and the sun glowing faintly through it like a pale lamp behind misted glass.

At the airport, I had my backpack wrapped to avoid losing anything, then dropped off my bags. Security and passport control went smoothly. I enjoyed one last cappuccino — and then I boarded.

Now here I am, mid-flight to New Delhi — about 9 hours — and I’m lucky again: three seats to myself in an old-school plane with retro seat fabrics and a faint smoke-era smell still lingering in the air. It reminded me of the “good old days.”

For your reference: the Garmin device was my live-tracking tool. I’ll now have to coordinate with the person who manages the live-tracking map on my website to see if I can enable tracking through a different device. But for now, I’ll definitely keep you updated manually, and my Garmin watch will continue to track my miles and upload to Strava at the end of each run — so you can still see where I’ve been. (I believe I’ve already found a solution!)

That’s the interesting thing about travelling the world: different rules, different ideas, different systems of law. I’m very glad I checked — even if a reel of me behind bars might have been entertaining. No… realistically, it wouldn’t be funny.

Soon they will serve lunch — I’ve ordered the vegetarian meal — and I’m hungry. After eating, I’ll stretch out and try to sleep for a while.

Short update from India:

I have safely landed in New Delhi, passed customs, and re-checked my luggage. I told the immigration officer that I’m very happy to be here and that this is a dream coming true. Everything has gone smoothly — a lovely crew on Air India, excellent food, and a calm transition. I didn’t really sleep, but rested across the three seats with my eyes closed — thinking, dreaming, reflecting, pondering.

I’m now sitting at Gate 53 waiting for my connecting flight. I feel relaxed and content. It is unbelievably reassuring — and just wonderful — that Jay is helping me with everything. I haven’t been able to hand over so many tasks in a long time, and it feels absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Jay, for making me feel so comfortable and welcome. I don’t take it for granted and appreciate that support deeply.

Ok — let’s fly to Chennai.

I’ll report from there tomorrow.

With love from airports and in-between places, Andrea